Abstract

In higher eukaryotes, histone acetyltransferase MOF (male absent on the first) is the major enzyme that acetylates histone H4 lysine 16, a prevalent mark associated with chromatin decondensation. Recent studies show that MOF resides in two different but evolutionarily conserved complexes, MSL and MOF-MSL1v1. Although these two MOF complexes have indistinguishable activity on histone H4 K16, they differ dramatically in acetylating non-histone substrate p53. The regulation of MOF activity in these complexes remains elusive. Given the evolution conservation of MOF and the importance of H4 K16 acetylation in maintaining higher order chromatin structures, understanding the function and regulation of MOF bears great significance. Here, we discussed the key differences in two MOF complexes that may shed light on the regulation of their distinct acetyltransferase activities. We also discussed coordinated functions of two MOF complexes with different histone methyltransferase complexes in transcription regulation.